Meade 4504 User Manual download pdf (Page 2)

Can I take pictures with these telescopes?

These telescopes are not designed to take pictures like you see in books and magazines. Many of those pictures

are long exposure guided pictures (many minutes long), not quick snapshots. You can take pictures of bright

objects like the moon and some of the planets and daytime objects using what is called “afocal” photography by

holding your camera up to an eyepiece and taking a picture. Sometimes a camera tripod can be used to hold the

camera steady and a shutter release or delayed timer may be used to prevent vibration/shakes when the picture

is taken. You may also hook up a webcam with a special adapter to fit the eyepiece for lunar or planetary

pictures, but you have to provide the camera and adapter. This will only work with the telescopes that are

electronic GoTo or motorized. The C-90 is an exception, but you must have an SLR/DSLR camera with the

appropriate T-Ring to attach it to the telescope. This still is good for daytime and limited other objects as the

mount for it is not motorized,

Can I observe the Sun with these telescopes?

Observing the sun should not ever be done unless you have been specifically given equipment and instructions

to do so. Serious eye injury/fire/burn damage can occur to the user, the area where the telescope is setup and

the telescope itself! One should never leave the telescope setup in the daytime where a child can get to or use

the telescope. If you do observe the sun with it follow all precautions and put all equipment/covers on before

moving the telescope towards the sun. Do not leave the telescope setup where the sun could enter the scope

optics at a later time, as this can cause damage. These telescopes are only capable of observing the sunspots

and faculae, they will not show prominences or flares. To observe those requires special filters that cannot be

used with these telescopes. NEVER USE ANY EYEPIECE SCREW IN SOLAR FILTERS!

Can I observe from in the city?

Observing in urban/suburban areas is possible for bright objects like the moon and the major planets. Some

double stars and a few other bright objects may also be observed. To see fainter objects, one must get away

from light pollution and one should allow their eyes to get dark adapted for at least 15 minutes. Use of a red

flashlight will help preserve your dark adaptation. If you use a bright white light, expect another 15 minutes for

your eyes to get adapted again. The club holds star parties at darker sites and members can help you use the

telescope and learn where things are in the sky. Check our website for information on upcoming star parties

and events.

What comes with the telescope?

We provide the telescope, the mount/tripod, eyepieces/accessories and a copy of the manual for the telescope

where available. The eyepieces/accessories will provide a range of magnifications. You normally will start out

with low power and only work you way up in magnification when you have located the object and have it

centered. Sky conditions will limit how much magnification you can use. Too much and the image will just get

fuzzy and dimmer, even though it may appear larger. If the telescope is not motorized or properly aligned, the

object will move out of the eyepiece very quickly.

The telescope got dirty, how do I clean it?

It is normal for the outside of the telescope to get wet (we are in a subtropical climate) and it can be gently

wiped off or simply allowed to air dry when brought inside.

If you are out for a period of time, you may find that the eyepieces or the front lens on the telescope or finder

may get covered in dew. DO NOT WIPE THIS OFF! You may use a hair dryer on low setting to gently warm

the glass and allow the dew to evaporate. This may need to be done repeatedly.

Try not to touch any of the glass/mirror surfaces with your fingers. If a lens gets extremely dirty please contact

us about what to do. We may need to have the lens/scope brought in for proper cleaning. Wiping a surface may

scratch and permanently damage it! Unless the dirt is visible when looking in the eyepiece, don’t worry about

it! It will not have any major impact unless a large percentage of the lens is covered or smeared.

(It is best to keep eyepieces covered in their box/holders when not in use to keep them clean and dry.)

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Meade 4504 User Manual Page 2

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